Climate change study looks at impacts to Mendocino County roads

The California Department of Transportation and local transportation agencies are conducting a study of the likely impacts of climate change on state transportation facilities in northwestern California.

Mendocino, Del Norte, Humboldt and Lake counties are among the areas being studied, according to a news release by GHD, a consulting firm helping to perform the study.

The research looks at potential impacts of sea level rise, increased coastal flooding and erosion, increased landslides and increased wildfire as projected by current climate change modeling.

This transportation study is one of 16 pilot studies across the U.S. being funded, in part, by the Federal Highway Administration, the news release stated.

"Some sections of road are more likely to be compromised due to climate change impacts," said Rob Holmlund, a planner with GHD. "If steps aren't taken to protect the system, some communities may be at risk of an increase in travel delays, or worse, being cut off from the rest of the road network."

A public meeting regarding the study is scheduled for Aug. 28 in Fort Bragg at the Mendocino County Library on East Laurel Street from 6 to 7:30 p.m.